2018 NHL draft prospect profile #30: Nils Lundkvist

We continue our 2018 NHL first round draft coverage with a mobile, offensive defenceman from Sweden.

The 2018 NHL entry draft will have many talented defencemen to choose from. To put it kindly, the Vancouver Canucks desperately need help on the back end. Their blue line struggles to produce offensively and Olli Juolevi is arguably the only top four defenceman in their prospect pool.

Vancouver may not be in a position to select Nils Lundkvist, but a savvy team in this league could walk away with an impressive player. While Adam Boqvist and Rasmus Dahlin have been in the spotlight for Swedish defencemen, Lundkvist has done well for himself.

Several NHL teams are in need of modern defencemen, and this young man fits the description. His mobility and hockey sense. Gone are the days of the big, lumbering player, devoid of skill. Without further ado, here is what you need to know about Nils Lundkvist.

The stats rundown

*Counting statistics and information collected from EliteProspects

Height: 180 cm/5’11”

Weight: 79 kg/174 lbs

Birthdate: July 27, 2000

Position: Defenceman

Handedness: Right

Team (League): Luleå HF (SHL), Luleå HF J20 (SuperElit)

Rankings:

#19 by Hockeyprospect.com

#27 by McKeen’s Hockey

#14 by NHL Central Scouting (EU)

#22 by Dobber Prospects (Cam Robinson)

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Looking at his SHL numbers, it doesn’t seem very impressive for Lundkvist. However, as a 17-year-old rookie in the top league in Sweden, this is quite promising. As I mentioned earlier, Adam Boqvist is ranked in the top 10 on many services and he was limited to a lone point in 15 games.

The two defencemen faced off in this year’s SHL playoffs, with Brynäs IF eliminating Luleå. Lundkvist did not pick up any points in two games, but he had his chances. Over in the top junior league, Lundkvist had a solid season. His playoffs were much better, where he collected five assists in six games.

Additionally, the kid from Piteå played in a couple international tournaments this season. En route to Sweden’s bronze medal finish at the IIHF Under 18 Championships, Lundkvist picked up a pair of assists in seven games. Similar to Grigori Denisenko, Lundkvist turned heads at the Five Nations Tournament in Plymouth, Michigan.

He had a goal and three assists through those four games, looking very comfortable in all of his games. As a result, this tournament may have lifted his draft stock on the North American side since he impressed the people watching him live. I keep bringing up Boqvist because Lundkvist played much better than his highly-touted countryman.

It’s a little difficult to find Lundkvist highlights, but here is a short clip of one of his goals. You can take a look at his skating and how quickly he can get that shot off the rush.

Scouting reports

Cam Robinson, Dobber Prospects:

"Smooth skating, right-shot defender who has looked comfortable and calm in the SHL as a 17-year-old. Can run a power play, jump up the ice to join the attack and offers reliable positioning in the defensive end. Had a strong Five Nations tournament and should be rising on many people’s boards – if they’re paying attention."

Jokke Nevalainen, Dobber Prospects:

"With his late July birthday, Lundkvist is quite young for the 2018 NHL Draft but he has already spent most of the season in the SHL the top league in Sweden. Playing in the SHL is impressive as not many 17-year-old defensemen can do that – and when they do, it’s usually either playing limited minutes or they are on a bad team. His Luleå team is on its way to the playoffs and Lundkvist’s average ice time is almost 16 minutes per game. Lundkvist is a smart offensive defenseman who loves to join the rush. His skating is very good and his puck-movement is excellent, but his defensive game needs improvement. Lundkvist has been a quick riser in draft rankings and is now considered a possible first round selection. He needs some time to physically mature but his offensive upside is very good."

What we think

Skating is a premium in the NHL. Teams are opting for faster and faster squads with a higher ceiling of skill. Furthermore, the big, physical archetype is no longer enough to stop this new evolution of players.

Having skill and speed on the back end is facilitated by the breakout. In the game’s current state, some forwards can get away with a lack of footspeed as long as they can still create plays and use their puck handling to their advantage.

However, slow defenceman struggle. You can see that with Erik Gudbranson. Always chasing the play, often caught out of position, rendering his physical play inconsequential. This league currently caters to skill and mobility, exactly where Nils Lundkvist’s skills lie.

He is confident, a terrific skater and can play regular minutes in Sweden’s best hockey league as a teenager.  The upside is definitely there in the offensive zone. Lundkvist strikes me as a prospect that will require patience. Luleå has him under contract  for next season, and he is not ready for the NHL as is.

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The right-handed power play quarterback is like the four-leaf clover of the NHL. Every team wants one, envious of those that have an elite player fitting taking that place on their top pairing. I don’t think Lundkvist is a surefire top pairing defenceman, but he could fill a spot in a team’s future top four nicely. And if you are a team devoid of higher end defensive prospects, Lundkvist would be a welcomed addition.